Head of Israeli Parliament’s Finance Committee Under Investigation for Rape and Witness Tampering
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky is under criminal investigation for rape and obstruction of justice. The Israeli police questioned him on Friday under caution, following a year-long investigation into a disturbing series of accusations.
Milwidsky, who was recently appointed chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, stands accused of raping a woman, referred to as “A”, immediately after she testified falsely in court at his request to protect the head of a cult from the legal consequences of raping her. The woman told investigators from Lahav 433, Israel’s national fraud and serious crime unit, that Milwidsky took her to a Tel Aviv hotel and raped her after she gave the false testimony.
The original case dates back to 2019. At the time, Milwidsky was the legal adviser to the cult-like “Bnei Baruch” community. Its leader, Michael Laitman, was on trial for sexually assaulting women. The woman now says Milwidsky pressured her to lie in court to protect Laitman. She says she was paid tens of thousands of dollars for her testimony.
Police traveled to Moscow last year to collect her testimony.
Milwidsky is part of the Kabbalah group cult Bnei Baruch, which presents itself as a spiritual study community but has long faced serious allegations in Israel.
Centered around its founder Michael Laitman, the group has been accused of manipulating followers, demanding loyalty, and fostering a closed, authoritarian environment. In 2019, Laitman was accused of sexually abusing female members; claims that were never prosecuted. Milwidsky, then the group’s legal adviser, pressured the victim to lie in court to shield Laitman.
Milwidsky denies all crimes. “I will continue to serve the public without fear,” he said after being released from questioning. His attorney, Ephraim Dimri, claimed the timing of the interrogation, just two days after Milwidsky’s appointment to head the finance committee, is politically motivated.
Dimri is also known for representing members of the notorious “100 Force” military unit in the Sde Teiman rape crimes committed against Palestinian abductees.
The new allegations against Milwidsky also follow a previous scandal. Last year, nude photos of him were sent to the Knesset. Milwidsky called the images fake and denied any link to the recipient, again, the same woman known as “A.”
Israeli police confirmed Friday that Milwidsky was questioned for both sexual offenses and judicial misconduct. Two others were detained in connection with the case and later released under conditions. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and will be transferred to the State Prosecutor’s Office when complete.
